Debi--12 is what I was wanting to do. I've only used it a few times. but have had "lump" issues each time. Today I thought I'd try using the whip in stead of the paddle to see if it goes better. In what order do you add your ingredients?

Debi--12 is what I was wanting to do. I've only used it a few times. but have had "lump" issues each time. Today I thought I'd try using the whip in stead of the paddle to see if it goes better. In what order do you add your ingredients?

Sift the cake mixes. You'll be AMAZED at what a difference this makes! I also add the oil after the batter is mixed up (mix, eggs, water, and I add an envelope of dream whip).

Here's my unscientific logic: Water and oil don't mix, so if you mix the oil in the beginning, when the water is still "water", then I'd get lumps. I found that if I mix the water up and the water becomes part of the "batter", then while oil and water don't mix, oil and BATTER mixes just fine! I did this even before I discovered that sifting trick and it made a big difference.

Here's my unscientific logic: Water and oil don't mix, so if you mix the oil in the beginning, when the water is still "water", then I'd get lumps. I found that if I mix the water up and the water becomes part of the "batter", then while oil and water don't mix, oil and BATTER mixes just fine! I did this even before I discovered that sifting trick and it made a big difference.

Well Debi, your "unscientific" logic is right on the mark! Cake mixes contain emulsifiers, and while oil and water don't "mix," you can bring them together with an emulsifier (such as egg in a salad dressing or a butter-based sauce), so when you first blend the water into the cake mix (that contains those emulsifiers) and then add the oil later, it's no surprise that it all comes together more easily!

Debi--what sifter do you use? I bought a big one and could have stood there cranking that thing all day without finishing. I used the whip instead of the paddle, but it was still pretty lumpy. It appears that the whip/paddle isn't coming anywhere near the bottom of the bowl; wonder if there's an adjustment. Also had some major cracking on my 14" round cakes--I think by the time I got everything mixed in (more or less) the batter had been over-worked, even though I tried hard not to. Anyway, I just finished baking 18 cakes and I'm tired. Gonna fix dinner, sit a minute, and get back at it.

I use a wire colander ..... a mesh basket with a large handle that you'd strain pasta with over the sink. Pour the cake mix in there and shake-shake-shake. Sometimes toward the end, you may have to push the mix thru the mesh (I use a gloved hand or a rubber scraper).

I love the tamis sieves but every time I look at them they're very pricey. I also wonder if they'd clog with cake mix since it has a bit of a moist clumpy feel. Most of my 18 cakes are now filled and stacked. I'd used two smaller cooling racks under the 16" square, and when I tried to lift it that sucker cracked clean in two! I'd frozen it to make it easier to set on top of the first layer. Well--not hard at all when you do it in two pieces. Everything seems fine. Hope so.